The New Orleans Saints have a crowded backfield, but they aren't about to shop Chris Ivory.
"Chris ain't going nowhere," Saints interim coach Joe Vitt told reporters Thursday, via Katherine Terrell of The Times-Picayune.
Despite their depth at the position, the Saints are dead last in the NFL in rushing. Pierre Thomas, Mark Ingram and Darren Sproles have accounted for 116 of the team's 122 carries this season. Quarterback Drew Brees has the other six touches, leaving Ivory -- more of a power back -- in the cold. He hasn't been activated for any of the team's six games.
Ivory's name has been floated around as potential trade material for weeks. The Arizona Cardinals and Green Bay Packers are just two teams in need of backfield help, but Vitt said Ivory will have a chance to contribute to the Saints this season.
Ivory's lack of production isn't a total surprise. Offensive coordinator Pete Carmichael called Ivory's fumbling issues this summer "not acceptable."
Ivory is low on the pecking order and becomes a restricted free agent in 2013. Whether or not the Saints are willing to part ways with the third-year pro might come down to the desperation level of teams looking for help.
Follow Marc Sessler on Twitter @MarcSesslerNFL.
